Guide

License Renewal Applications for Television Broadcast Stations

Renewal of licenses for commercial and noncommercial TV broadcast stations, Class A TV broadcast stations,
TV translators and Low Power TV broadcast (LPTV) stations are scheduled to expire between 2012 and 2014. Each TV, Class A TV, TV translator and LPTV station must electronically file an application for license renewal (FCC Form 303-S) four months prior to the expiration date of the station's license, in accordance with the schedule set forth below. In addition, LPTV and TV translator stations co-owned with primary television stations in the same state that broadcast the same signal as the primary television station are permitted to file for license renewal on a single application form (FCC Form 303-S) with the primary television station. TV, Class A TV, and LPTV stations must also file a Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report (FCC Form 396) at the same time. Translator stations are exempt from filing the Broadcast Equal Employment Opportunity Program Report. Noncommercial educational TV stations must additionally file an ownership report on FCC Form 323-E at the same time. Related auxiliary stations are renewed with the main station license and are not required to file a separate renewal application.

A valid mailing address and a valid e-mail address for each station
is essential for a smooth renewal process. Broadcast licensees should take the time NOW to verify
that the station address is correct in the FCC's files, and make any necessary corrections. Please
double check the mailing address and e-mail address
on the license renewal application before electronically filing the application.

Full service television stations, Low Power TV and Class A stations, and interested
persons may check the Commission's address-of-record by using the
Mailing Address Query.
TV Translator stations may verify the mailing address through the "Station Information" link
in CDBS
Public Access.

During the license renewal process, interested parties may
ask to review the Television station's local public inspection file. Broadcast licensees should
take time now to ensure that the public file fulfills the
requirements of 47 CFR Section 73.3526
(commercial stations) or
47 CFR Section 73.3527
(noncommercial educational stations). Licensees should establish procedures to respond promptly to all
requests to review the station's public inspection file during regular business hours.
Information on local public file and public access requirements is available on the Enforcement Bureau's
Public Inspection File page, and in
The Public and Broadcasting
(revised July 2008).

Public inspection file requirements do not apply to TV Translator stations. Low Power TV stations
are exempt from the local public file requirement, but must continue to maintain a
political file.

The following lists indicate license renewal application filing dates, license expiration dates, and Petition to Deny filing dates. Renewal dates are based on the location (state, territory, etc.) of the station's community of license, not the station's transmitter site location. Dates for television broadcast station renewals fall between 2012 and 2015, inclusive. (Lists will open in a PDF file in a new browser tab or window.)

Silent stations must publish the text of the Post-Filing Announcement in a
newspaper of general circulation in the community or area served on the same scheduled dates as indicated
above for operating stations. A copy of the published announcement should be placed
in the station's local public inspection file.

TV Translators not being renewed with the primary station being rebroadcast must
publish the text of the Post-Filing Announcement at least once immediately after the filing of the license renewal
application. The notice should be published in a daily, weekly, or biweekly newspaper of general circulation in the community or area served. If there is no newspaper the licensee should post the required notice in a public place and keep a copy of the local public notice for reference.

Sample PRE-Filing Announcement

The following is a sample of the text of a pre-filing announcement. (You may cut and paste this text.)
Stations broadcasting in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language.

On _________________________ (date of the last renewal grant),___________ (station's call letters)
was granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the public interest as a public trustee until __________________________ (license expiration date). Our license will expire
on _________________
(date). We must file an application for license renewal with the FCC on _________________
(date, four months prior to the expiration date). When filed, a copy of this application will be available for inspection during regular
business hours. It contains information concerning the station's performance over the last
________________________ (period of time covered by the application, e.g. 8 years).

Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to our renewal application, and to whether this station has operated
in the public interest, should file comments and petitions with the FCC by _________________ (date, first day of the full calendar month
prior to the month of license expiration). Further information concerning the FCC's broadcast license renewal process is available at___________________________ (address of the location of the station's public inspection file)
or may be obtained from the FCC, Washington, D.C. 20554, www.fcc.gov.

-- END OF ANNOUNCEMENT --

Sample POST-Filing Announcement

The following is a sample of the text of a post-filing announcement. (You may cut and paste this text.)
Stations broadcasting in a foreign language should broadcast the announcements in that language. Stations that
cannot broadcast this announcement because they are off the air should publish the text of the announcement in a daily, weekly,
or bi-weekly newspaper of general circulation in the community to be served.

On _________________________ (date of the last renewal grant),___________ (station's call letters)
was granted a license by the Federal Communications Commission to serve the public interest as a public trustee until__________________________ (license expiration date). Our license will expire on _________________
(date). We filed an application for license renewal with the FCC
on _________________ (date). A copy of this application is available for inspection during our regular
business hours. It contains information concerning the station's performance over the last
________________________ (period of time covered by the application, e.g. 8 years).

Individuals who wish to advise the FCC of facts relating to our renewal application, and to whether this station has operated
in the public interest, should file comments and petitions with the FCC by _________________ (date, first day of the full calendar month
prior to the month of license expiration). Further information concerning the FCC's broadcast license renewal process is available at_____________________________ (address of the location of the station's public inspection file)
or may be obtained from the FCC, Washington, D.C. 20554, www.fcc.gov.

Each licensee must familiarize itself with these rules and reporting requirements prior to preparation of the license renewal application. Information about the Commission's EEO requirements for broadcast stations is available on the Media Bureau's
EEO page.

All licensees (except TV Translator licensees) must electronically file the Broadcast
Equal Opportunity Program Report (FCC Form 396) and the license renewal form (Form 303-S).
Licensees must complete FCC Form 396 PRIOR to completing Form 303-S. Form 303-S
asks for the application file number of the Form 396 application; without this number, the CDBS Electronic Filing System
will not accept a Form 303-S Application for Renewal of Broadcast Station License.

NCE License Renewals Must Include FCC Form 323-E. All NCE licensees must electronically file an
Ownership Report for Noncommercial Educational Broadcast Stations on FCC Form 323-E.
To Media Bureau Electronic Filing.

A Petition to Deny or an informal objection to a television license renewal application may be filed AFTER the filing of the license renewal application. Notices of the filing of license renewal applications will be posted in the Broadcast Applications public notices.
CDBS
on the FCC's website will also contain records pertaining to the license renewal application.

Petitions to Deny are considered to be timely filed with the Commission only upon receipt by the
Commission at the address listed below, NOT when they are mailed or postmarked. Petitions to Deny
may not be sent via e-mail.

The last day for filing Petitions to Deny is ONE MONTH PRIOR to the license expiration date:

Example. The expiration date for a station in Alabama is April 1, 2013. The LAST DAY
that a Petition to Deny may be timely filed is March 1, 2013.

Exception. If the LAST DAY falls on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or on a date that
the Commission is closed for business, the LAST DAY is extended to the first full business day thereafter.
For example, the expiration date for a station in Maryland is October 1, 2012. September 1, 2012, is a Saturday and
September 3, 2012, is a holiday. In this instance, the LAST DAY that a Petition to Deny may be filed is
September 4, 2012.

Exception. The deadline for filing Petitions to Deny against late-filed license renewal applications
is the 90th day after the FCC gives public notice that it has accepted that application for filing. If the 90th day falls
on a Saturday, Sunday, holiday, or on a date that the Commission is closed for business, the LAST DAY is extended to
the first full business day thereafter.

Petition to Deny Requirements. First, to file a Petition to Deny, a person must be a "party in interest"
and have "standing." That means, generally, that the person must have more than a passing interest in the station.
He or she must be a regular listener or have some other contact with the station that gives the petitioner a real stake in the
outcome of the renewal process. A petition must be supported by an affidavit of a person or persons with personal
knowledge of the allegations of fact contained in the petition. Additionally, a Petition to Deny a license renewal must be "timely"
filed at least one month prior to the license expiration date, as explained in the previous paragraph. Finally, the petition must
contain a certification that a copy of the petition was mailed to the station. Failure to include the certification that a copy was
mailed to the station and the affidavit of personal knowledge will result in dismissal of the Petition to Deny.

Procedure for Filing Informal Objections. A person or entity opposing the grant of a station's license renewal
application may file an informal objection against the license renewal application at any time prior to staff action on the
license renewal application. An informal objection is less formal than a Petition to Deny, but some requirements still
apply. It may take the form of a letter signed by the objector and mailed or delivered to one of the FCC addresses
above. An informal objection need not contain the affidavit required for a Petition to Deny. It should, however,
contain sufficient information to establish any violation alleged. Additionally, an informal objection not received by
the time the station's license renewal is granted will not be considered.

Filing Positive Comments. Affirmative comments concerning a licensee's service during the prior license
term should be filed by the Petition to Deny deadline through the Office of the Secretary at the addresses listed in the next section.

Mailing Address for Petitions to Deny, Informal Objections, and Comments

Additional Suggestions for Filers. To help the staff expeditiously associate a Petition to Deny, informal objection,
or positive comment with the proper license renewal application, the pleading should prominently identify:

The station's call sign;

The station's facility ID number;

The license renewal application file number.

This information, which is available on CDBS
through the Commission's website, should be listed on the first page of the submission. The filing must also state whether it is a Petition to Deny, Informal Objection, or a comment. If a cover sheet is used,
it should be attached to each copy of the pleading. Failure to
include this information may cause delays in associating a pleading with a license renewal application.

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